Receptacle for spent smoking material

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for spent smoking material has a modular construction and can include a base, a lid, a neck, and a head. The base and the lid define a chamber for containing the spent smoking material. The lid can be removably connected to the base through the rotative engagement of corresponding lugs on the base and the lid. The neck can be assembled to the lid using a one-way connector mechanism. The head can be assembled to the neck using a one-way connector mechanism. The head portion has an orifice therein for receiving spent smoking materials, which can be directed through the neck to the chamber. A bucket can be provided in the chamber to receive the spent smoking materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/257,162, filed Nov. 2, 2009, and entitled “Receptacle For Spent Smoking Material,” which is incorporated in its entirety herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a receptacle for spent smoking material and, more particularly, to a modular receptacle for spent smoking material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking produces trash in the form of spent smoking material such as used matches, and cigarette and cigar butts. When this trash is left as litter, it can be difficult to clean up safely and efficiently because it carries germs and is of relatively small size. Also, smoldering smoking refuse poses a fire hazard, particularly when deposited in ordinary trash cans containing other flammable refuse.

With the proliferation of environmental and workplace regulations that force smokers outdoors, a high concentration of smoking-related litter can accumulate in areas where smokers congregate or travel through to arrive at a designated smoking area. Receptacles are generally placed in these areas to encourage smokers to discard their spent smoking materials in the receptacles rather than on the ground. Frequently, these receptacles include ordinary trash cans in combination with an ashtray for receiving the smoking related litter. These designs have several significant drawbacks. For example, the ashtray portion of the receptacle can quickly become filled with cigarette butts and the like. Because the debris in the ashtray is visible, the appearance of the receptacle becomes quite unappealing. Moreover, if the smoker does not adequately extinguish the cigarette before discarding it in the receptacle, the cigarette can continue to burn or smolder producing smoke and creating a fire hazard particularly with respect to the trash can portion of the receptacle.

Various receptacles for spent smoking material have been designed which address the problems stated above. One example of such a receptacle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,322 (“the '322 patent”). The '322 patent discloses a receptacle for spent smoking materials having a base portion defining a chamber for containing smoking materials and an upper portion with a neck extending from a dome over the base to a head portion equipped with a bonnet which includes an orifice for receiving spent smoking material.

Although this design is effective, there is a need in the art for an improved receptacle for spent smoking material. For example, rising fuel costs have caused shipping costs to rise significantly. These increased shipping costs can force a manufacturer to increase the final cost of receptacles for spent smoking material.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, a receptacle for spent smoking material can have a modular construction. The modular pieces of the receptacle for spent smoking material can be assembled together to form a complete receptacle.

In one arrangement, the receptacle can include a base, a domed lid, a neck and a head. The domed lid can be connected to the base. The neck can be connected to the lid, and the head can be connected to the neck.

Once a receptacle for spent smoking material is assembled, it can be advantageous for the receptacle to be difficult to disassemble. This can help to protect against theft or damage of the receptacle or pieces of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the modular pieces can include inter-engaging, one-way connecting members that are adapted to resist disengagement once the mating connecting members are engaged.

In one arrangement, the domed lid, the neck, and the head can include one-way connecting members such that the connecting members resist disconnection once connected together. The lid and the base can be removably retained together to allow access to the chamber in which the spent smoking materials are stored to allow the chamber to be emptied.

The modular construction of the receptacle for spent smoking material can also increase the ease of shipping the receptacle. The modular pieces of an entire receptacle, including the base, the domed lid, the neck and the head, can be shipped in a container in a disassembled or partially disassembled arrangement. In other arrangements, modular pieces of a plurality of receptacles can be respectively nested together so that a plurality of one type of modular piece nest together.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle for spent smoking material.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a base and a domed lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1, with a partial section removed for illustrative purposes to show the circulation of smoke in eddy currents in the chamber.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base as in FIG. 7 and a bucket for spent smoking material collection disposed within the base.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the base of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the base of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the domed lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the lid of FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the lid and the base of the receptacle of FIG. 1 assembled together.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the lid and the base of the receptacle of FIG. 1 assembled together.

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the lid and the base of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the interior of the lid of FIG. 13 showing an attachment lug.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the base of FIG. 7 showing an attachment lug.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cut-away view showing means for connecting the base and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is an elevational view, in section, showing means for connecting the base and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the neck of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the neck of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the neck of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a side elevational, exploded view of the neck of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a front neck piece of the neck of FIG. 27.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a rear neck piece of the neck of FIG. 27.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view showing the front and back neck pieces of FIGS. 31 and 32 in a partially assembled position.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the neck and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in an assembled position.

FIG. 35 is a front elevational view of the neck and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the neck and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 37 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the neck and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1 showing means for connecting the neck and the lid.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view along a front to rear plane showing means for connecting the neck and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 39 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view along a side-to-side plane showing means for connecting the back neck piece and the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a head of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the head of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the head of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the head of FIG. 40 with a head cap removed therefrom.

FIG. 44 is a front elevational view of the head as in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is an enlarged, bottom perspective view of the head of FIG. 40.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged, bottom perspective view of the head cap of the head of FIG. 40.

FIG. 47 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view along a side-to-side plane showing means for connecting the head and the head cap of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 48 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view showing means for connecting the head and the head cap of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 49 is a front elevational view of the head and the neck of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 50 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the neck and a perspective view of the head of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 51 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the neck and a perspective view of the head of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

FIG. 52 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view along a side-to-side plane showing means for connecting the head and the neck of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 53 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view along a front-to-rear plane showing means for connecting the head and the neck of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 54 is an embodiment of a packaging arrangement of a plurality of heads suitable for use in a receptacle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 55 is an embodiment of a packaging arrangement of a plurality of necks suitable for use in a receptacle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 56 is an embodiment of a packaging arrangement of a plurality of lids suitable for use in a receptacle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 57 is an embodiment of a packaging arrangement of a plurality of bases suitable for use in a receptacle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 58 is an embodiment of a packaging arrangement of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in a disassembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, a receptacle for spent smoking material 100 is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the receptacle includes a plurality of modular components: a base 102, a domed lid 104, a neck 106, and a head 108. The head 108 of the receptacle 100 can include at least one orifice 110 through which spent smoking material may be deposited, for example, cigarette butts. As depicted in FIG. 2, the receptacle 100 can include a bucket 112 disposed within the base 102 and the lid 104 and a head cap 114 disposed upon the head 108.

Spent smoking material can be deposited in the receptacle 100 through the orifice 110. The spent smoking material travels down through the head 108, the neck 106, the lid 104, and comes to rest in a chamber 113 defined by the base 102 and the lid 104. As depicted in FIG. 2, the bucket 112 can be disposed within the chamber. To increase the ease of cleaning the receptacle 100, the bucket 112 can hold the spent smoking material. The bucket can be made from any suitable material, such as metal, for example, using conventional techniques. The base 102, the lid 104, the neck 106, and the head 108 can be made from any suitable material, such as, plastic, for example, using conventional techniques.

As depicted in FIG. 3 the convex shape of the interior of the lid 104 can cause the smoke within the chamber 113 to circulate in eddy currents that can limit the flow of smoke upwards through the neck. Additionally, the eddy currents that can be created by the shape of the lid can limit the oxygen available to support combustion in the chamber 113. The shape and function of the base 102 and the lid 104 can be similar to the chamber 20 and the dome 30 of the receptacle shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,322, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The base 102 and the lid 104 can function in a fashion similar to that described the '322 patent to direct the smoke from any smoldering materials in the chamber 113 in such a way to prevent smoke from drifting up through the neck 106 and out of the orifice 110. A flow diverting mechanism as shown and described in the '322 patent can also be provided in the chamber 113.

Referring to FIGS. 7-12, the base 102 can be constructed from any suitable material, and made using any suitable means, for example, injection molding. As depicted in FIG. 8, the base 102 can include a bucket 112 which can collect spent smoking material. The bucket 112 can increase the ease of maintenance required, including removing spent smoking material from the receptacle 100. The base can include at least one lug 116 adapted to connect the base 102 to the lid 104. The exemplary base 102 in FIGS. 7-12 includes a pair of lugs 116. The lugs 116 can interact with complementary lugs on the lid to lock the base 102 and the lid 104 together.

Referring to FIG. 8, each lug 116 can include an alignment area 114 that leads into a channel 115 and a retaining tab 117. The alignment area 114 can be used to facilitate the alignment of the mating lugs of the lid so that they are in position to be rotated into engaging position with the lugs 116 of the base 102. The channel 115 is adapted to receivingly accommodate a portion of the complementary lug of the lid so that the lid lug is in engaging relationship with the retaining tab 117.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, the base 102 can include a plurality of locking rings. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a first locking ring 118 can be adapted to be used with a locking device to lock or tether the base 102 to a fixed location which can reduce theft of the receptacle 100. Referring to FIG. 12, a second locking ring 120 can be used in conjunction with a complementary locking ring 122 on the lid 104 to lock the lid 104 and the base 102 together.

Referring to FIGS. 13-19, the lid 104 of the receptacle 100 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic, for example, and made using any suitable means, such as, injection molding, for example. The lid can include a drip ring 125. The drip ring 125 can be a lip which can circle the inside of the lid 104 and can extend downward from the inside of the lid 104. The drip ring 125 can be a molded extension of the lid 104 or can be one or more pieces attached to the lid 104. The drip ring 125 can capture tar and nicotine-infused water from the spent smoking material and direct it downwardly back into the chamber 113. In some embodiments, the drip ring 125 can be similar in construction and function to the flow diverting mechanism shown and described in the '322 patent.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 17-19, the lid 104 can include a locking ring 122 which can interact with the complementary locking ring 120 on the base 102 to lock the lid 102 and base 104 together. The locking rings 120, 122 can each include an aperture that are in aligning relationship when the lid 104 is secured to the base 102. The apertures can be configured such that a locking arm of a padlock passes through the holes of the locking rings 120, 122 and is locked to the base of the padlock to impede the removal of the lid 104 from the base 102 without first removing the padlock.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 19, the lid 104 can also include at least one lug 124 which can be used to couple the lid 104 to the base 102 when the two pieces are in the locked position. The number of lugs 124 provided on the lid can correspond to the number of lugs 116 of the base and be arranged such that the lugs 124 of the lid 104 are in mating, inter-engaging relationship with a respective lug 116 of the base 102 to secure the lid 104 to the base 102.

Referring to FIG. 23, each lug 124 of the lid 104 includes a canopy 119 and a retaining flange 121 in spaced relationship to each other. The flange 121 is adapted to be disposed within the channel 115 of the lug of the base. The retaining flange 121 includes a detent 123 that is adapted to engage a resiliently flexible finger 171 (FIGS. 24 and 25) of the channel 115 of the lug 116 of the base 102. The inter-engagement of the finger 171 and the detent 123 can provide a positive connective engagement between the lugs 124, 116.

As depicted in FIGS. 20-21, the lid 104 and base 102 can be connected together. To connect the lid 104 to the base 102, the lid 104 can be placed on top of the base 102 with the lugs 116 of the base 102 in offset relationship with the corresponding lugs 124 of the lid 104 (see FIG. 22). The lid 104 can then be rotated about a central, longitudinally extending axis of the receptacle with respect to the base 102 in an engaging direction 173 to engage the lugs 116 of the base 102 with the complementary lugs 124 of the lid 104.

Once the lugs 116 and 124 are in the engaged position, the lid 104 cannot be lifted off of the base 102 without disengaging the lugs 116, 124. The lid 104 can be removed from the base 102 by rotating the lid 104 with respect to the base 102 in a disengaging direction 175, which is opposite to the engaging direction.

As shown in FIG. 21, the lid 104 can be rotated with respect to the base 102 such that the locking rings 120, 122 of the base 102 and the lid 104 are in aligned relationship with each other. Once the lid 104 and base 102 are in the connected position, the locking rings 120, 122 of the base 102 and the lid 104 are aligned. The aligned locking rings can be adapted to be used with a locking device, such as a padlock, for example, to help prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent separation of the lid 104 from the base 102 and reduce the risk of theft of the receptacle 100.

As depicted in FIG. 25, the upper edge of the base 102 can include a lip 126. The lid 104 can also include a circumferential groove 127. When the lid 104 is placed on top of the base 102, the lip 126 can fit into the groove 127 and the inside edge 128 of the lid 104 can overlap the lip 126 of the base 102 forming a lap joint. The connection between the lid 104 and the base 102 can help to contain smoke, resin and condensation that can be emitted from the spent smoking material which is deposited in the chamber 113. The outer edge 129 of the lid 104 can wrap around a radially-extending rib 130 of the base 102 to form a drip edge 131 that encourages any precipitation that falls onto the lid 104 to drip off the drip edge 131 to the ground supporting the base 102.

Referring to FIGS. 27-30, the neck 106 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic, for example, and constructed using any suitable means, such as, injection molding, for example. The neck 106 includes a pathway 132 through which spent smoking material that has been deposited into the orifice 110 travels before it reaches the chamber 113. The illustrative neck 106 has a modular construction that includes a front piece 133 and a back piece 134 which can be retentively connected using a plurality of mating, frictional connecting members. The illustrative neck 106 includes six mating frictional connecting members, as shown in FIG. 29.

As depicted in FIG. 29-33, the back neck piece 132 has six female connecting members 135. The front neck piece 130 has six male connecting members 136 each with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs radially disposed around the external surface of the male connecting member 136. Each male connecting member 136 is adapted to frictionally engage the internal surface of the corresponding, mating female connector 135 to retentively engage the front piece 133 and the back piece 134. As depicted in FIGS. 29 and 33, the front neck piece 133 can be connected to the back neck piece 134 by inserting the male connecting members 136 of the front piece 133 into the female connecting members 135 of the back piece 134 to frictionally retain the pieces 133, 134.

Either of the neck pieces 130, 132 can include a lip 138 which can form a lap joint with the complementary neck piece. As depicted in FIGS. 28-33, the back neck piece 132 has a lip 138 which overlaps with an inside portion 140 of the front neck piece 130 forming a lap joint. This lap joint can help to contain smoke, resin and condensation that can be emitted from the spent smoking material which is deposited into the receptacle 100.

Referring to FIG. 34, the bottom end 141 of the neck 106 is adapted to connect to the lid 104 as depicted in FIG. 34. Referring to FIG. 35, the bottom end 141 of the neck 106 can have at least one interlocking snap-fit clip 142 adapted to inter-engage the lid 104. Referring to FIG. 36, the lid 104 can have a corresponding interlocking catch 144 for each snap-fit clip 142 of the neck 106. Referring to FIGS. 35-39, the bottom end 141 of the neck 106 has a pair of interlocking snap-fit clips 142 in opposing relationship to each other, and the lid 104 has two corresponding catches 144 arranged to be in mating relationship with the clips 142 of the neck 106. In some embodiments, the connecting members of the lid 104 and the neck 106 can be adapted to provide a one-way connection that resists removal of the pieces once they are connected.

As shown in FIG. 38, the catch 144 of the lid 104 has a ridge 145. The complementary snap fit clip 142 of the neck 106 has a recess 147 adapted to accommodate the ridge 145 of the catch 144. To assemble the neck 106 to the lid 104, the lower end 141 of the neck 106 is inserted into the lid 104. The distal end 149 of the snap-fit clip 142 can resiliently flex as it traverses over the ridge 145. Once the lower end 149 of the snap-fit clip 142 has passed the ridge 145 of the complementary catch 144, the lower end 149 can return to its original position. The lower end 149 then is in inter-engaged relationship with a shoulder 150 of the catch 144 to lock the lid 104 and the neck 106 together.

As shown in FIG. 37, the lid 104 can include a guide 146 that can fit into a corresponding channel in the neck 106. The guide 146 and corresponding channel can act to inhibit the relative rotation of the neck 106 and the lid 104 and can help ensure that the neck 106 is connected to the lid 104 in the correct orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 40-44, the head 108 of the receptacle 100 can have at least one orifice 110 which is used to receive spent smoking material. The head 108 may be constructed using any suitable material, such as, plastic, for example, and constructed using any suitable means, such as, injection molding, for example. The head 108 can also include a snuff plate 148 which can be used to help extinguish spent smoking materials. The snuff plate 148 can be made from any suitable material, such as metal, for example. The snuff plate can include a plurality of apertures to facilitate the collection of ash material that accompanies any of the spent smoking materials in the receptacle 100.

The head 108 can have a modular construction that includes a cap 114 and a head base 151. The head base 151 is adapted to attach to the cap 114 via a snap-fit connection. As depicted in FIGS. 43-46, the cap 114 can include a pair of male snap-fit pieces 152, and the head base 151 can include a pair of female snap-fit pieces 154. The head can be assembled by snap-fitting the head cap 114 and the head base 151 together.

In some embodiments, the cap and the head base can be connected together via a one-way snap fit connection such that the cap cannot readily be removed from the head base. In other embodiments, the cap can be removably mounted to the head base to facilitate the replacement of the snuff plate, for example.

The head 108 can also retain the snuff plate 148. Opposite ends of the snuff plate 148 can attach to either end of the head cap 114 and the head base 151. Referring to FIGS. 43-46, the head base 151 can include a plurality of retaining channels 153 which can hold the bottom end of the snuff plate 148. The head cap 114, can include a plurality of retaining channels 155 which hold the upper end of the snuff plate 148.

The snuff plate 148 can be constructed using any suitable material, for example, a metal. The snuff plate 148 can have any suitable configuration or shape. As shown in FIG. 37, the snuff plate 148 is a grate with circular holes. In other embodiments, the snuff plate 148 can have other configurations, such as a grate with slotted or rectangular openings or a plate with no openings.

The bottom part of the head 108 is adapted to be connected to the top part of the neck 106. The bottom part of the head 108 can have at least one interlocking snap-fit clip 156. The upper part of the neck 106, to which the head 108 connects, can have a corresponding number of interlocking catches 158. As depicted in FIGS. 44-46, the bottom part of the head 108 has two interlocking snap-fit clips 156 and the neck 106 also has two interlocking catches 158.

As shown in FIG. 53, the snap-fit clip 156 of the head 108 may have a ridge 161. The complementary catch 158 of the neck 106 may have a recess 163. As the head 108 is pushed onto the neck 106, the upper end 165 of the snap-fit catch 158 can resiliently flex as it is pushed past the ridge 161. Once the upper end 165 of the snap-fit catch 158 has passed the ridge 161 of the complementary snap-fit clip 156, the upper end 165 can return to its original position. The upper end 165 then interacts with the ridge 161 to lock the head 108 and the neck 106 together. When the head 108 is assembled to the neck 106, the interlocking snap fit connections 156, 158 lock together to form a one-way connection such that the head and neck cannot be easily disassembled, which can help to prevent theft of parts of the receptacle 100.

The head 108 and neck 106 can also include a guide system to ensure that the head 108 and neck 106 are assembled in a desired orientation with respect to each other. As depicted in FIGS. 50-51, the neck 106 has a guide 162 and the neck has a corresponding channel 160. The head 108 must be assembled to the neck 106 in the correct orientation or the guide 162 and channel 160 will not line up and the snap-fit connections 156, 158 of the head 108 and the neck 106 will not be able to engage.

The neck 106 can include a lip 166 which can form a lap joint with the head 104. As depicted in FIG. 52 the neck 106 has a lip 166 which overlaps with an inside portion 168 of the head 108 forming a lap joint. This lap joint can help to contain smoke, resin and condensation that can be emitted from the spent smoking material which is deposited into the receptacle 100.

The modular construction of the receptacle 100 can also facilitate packaging the component parts of the receptacle 100. The modular components, including the base 102, the lid 104, the neck 106, the head 108 and the bucket 112, can be shipped in a disassembled condition in a plurality of packaging arrangements, either with sufficient modular pieces to assemble a single receptacle or a plurality of receptacles.

Referring to FIGS. 54-57, a plurality of receptacles can be packaged such that each modular component is disposed in a nested arrangement for shipping to reduce the overall shipping volume for the receptacles. In the illustrative example, the modular components for six receptacles are arranged in different packaging arrangements. In other embodiments, modular components for a different number of receptacles can be packaged.

Referring to FIG. 54, six heads 108 are shown stacked in a configuration in which the heads 109 alternate direction to reduce the volume of packaging space needed to contain the heads 108. Referring to FIG. 55, six front neck pieces 133 and six back neck pieces 134 are shown in a nested configuration. Although the front neck pieces 133 are shown nested separately from the back neck pieces 134, the front and the back neck pieces can be nested together in other embodiments. Referring to FIG. 56, six domed lids 104 are in a stacked configuration in which two sets of three lids 104 are nested together. Referring to FIG. 57, six bases 102 are shown in a stacked configuration in which two sets of three bases are nested together. Six buckets 112 of the receptacle 100 can also be disposed in a stacked configuration similar to that shown for the bases 102 in FIG. 57.

The modular construction of the receptacle 100 can allow for the receptacle 100 to be shipped in a smaller container than that which would be required if the receptacle 100 were shipped in its fully-assembled position. As depicted in FIG. 58, the receptacle 100 can fit into a rectangular box container with dimensions substantially similar in height to the height of the base 102 and the lid 104 when they are assembled together and substantially similar in width and depth to the largest diameter of the base 102 and lid 104. In other embodiments, the modular components of the receptacle can be arranged differently for shipping.

Embodiments of the disclosed modular receptacle for spent smoking material can reduce the problem of shipping such a receptacle and can ease the ability to perform maintenance on a receptacle for spent smoking material. Embodiments of the receptacle can be shipped in multiple component parts which can be easily assembled by an end user with one-way connection mechanisms such that the modular components are not readily disassembled once assembled except to allow access for emptying. Embodiments of the receptacle can also ease maintenance by providing a bucket in the base of the receptacle which collects the spent smoking material which is also easily accessible.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A modular receptacle for spent smoking material comprising: a base; a lid adapted for removable connection to the base, the base and the lid defining a chamber for containing smoking material when the base and the lid are connected together; a neck adapted for one-way connection with the lid; and a head adapted for one-way connection with the neck; wherein the base includes a lug and the lid includes a corresponding lug, the lug of the base adapted to be disposed in engaging relationship with the lug of the lid.
 2. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein a top end of the base and a bottom end of the lid substantially overlap to form a lap joint when the base and the lid are connected together.
 3. The modular receptacle of claim 2 wherein a top diameter of the base is greater than a bottom diameter of the lid.
 4. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein the neck further comprises a front portion which is substantially semicircular in shape and a back portion which is semicircular in shape, the front portion of the neck connecting to the back portion of the neck using a friction-fit connection.
 5. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein a bottom end of the neck is adapted to connect to a top end of the lid.
 6. The modular receptacle of claim 5 wherein a bottom diameter of the neck is less than a top diameter of the lid.
 7. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein a bottom end of the neck and a top end of the lid are adapted to connect to each other via a snap-fit connection.
 8. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein the head further comprises a top piece and a bottom piece, and the top piece of the head is adapted to connect to the bottom piece of the head via a snap-fit connection.
 9. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein the head includes an orifice and a snuff plate associated with the orifice.
 10. The modular receptacle of claim 1 wherein a top end of the neck is adapted to connect to a bottom end of the head via a snap-fit connection.
 11. The receptacle of claim 10 wherein a top diameter of the neck is greater than a bottom diameter of the head.
 12. A method for assembling a modular receptacle for spent smoking material comprising: connecting a top end of the base to a bottom end of the lid by placing the bottom end of the lid upon the top end of the base with a connecting member of the lid in offset relationship with a connecting member of the base and rotating the lid relative to the base in an engaging direction to place the connecting member of the base and the connecting member of the lid in retentive engagement with each other; connecting a top end of the lid to a bottom end of the neck using a one-way connection mechanism; and connecting a top end of the neck to a bottom end of the head using a one-way connection mechanism.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: connecting a front portion of the neck to a back portion of the neck using a friction-fit connection.
 14. The method of claim 12 further comprising: connecting a top portion of the head to a bottom portion of the head using a snap-fit connection. 